Saturday, March 28, 2009

More of the Older Children

As you will note, Dwight looks studious and scholarly and dignified, while Louise looks demure. Oh lordy do I remember that checkered jumper and my plaid tie after all these years. But the reason I posted this picture is because of the youngest of the older, more mature, children. What do you see in common with this pose and the pose on the haystack? Just wondered. One of the blessings of being a boy is that I didn't have to wear those absolutely horrendous long brown socks. Enlarge to get the full effect. And what's with the mini-skirt? Just wondered.

23 comments:

The "Hands on Hips Pose" seems to indicate a rather free spirit. Do you think? Louise's approach to life seems to have taken root many years ago. She just looks calm and willing to do what needed to be done. And then there is Dwight - a little cocky turn of the head, hands in pockets, and a look that seems to say can we please hurry and get this over with. This is a great picture of the three brave pioneers who led the way for the three innocent ones who were to follow.

Cocky? What a gross distortion. I guess we each see what we want to see. I look subdued, intimidated by sisters, and having to endure patiently. But also thinking, thank heaven I don't have to wear those stupid long brown socks. What a blessing it was to be a male albeit dwelling in a nest of bothersome females.

I must have been growing like crazy - hence the mini-skirt. But you can see the detested garter holding up the detested brown stockings. And, don't you know that I had to hold my own against two older siblings, who lied and told me stories about Pierre, etc., etc.

Who was Pierre? He was Dwight's and my friend who we met when we went to France. We had many good times and experiences together. And that's no lie. I also remember the plaid tie and the checkered jumper. That was the only Sunday clothes I had. It was very serviceable, but plain, and so when Cindy made the pretty jumper for me (in the posed picture of the three of us with Mother) I felt like a princess.

Okay, Steve, just an earlier version B.S.J.A,S (Before Judy, Ann, and Steve.) It was important for us to get Mother adjusted to having children. (Her early letters to Dad BEFORE I was born calls Louise and Dwight "the villains". Probably quite apt. Steve, being privileged as the youngest did have a cowboy hat - His? Who knows?

I go mind my business for a few hours and I come back to this bunch of mischief? First: How did Liz rate those fancy garters? Second: we wouldn't have had to wear those stupid, ugly brown stockings if women had been liberated earlier. No jeans or long warm pants for this sturdy stock.

Time to put this to rest once and for all. Remember that famous line, "If it doen't fit you must aquit." ??? If indeed it were a borrowed hat it would have sat on the top of my head like the Phillip Morris bellboy bonnet. (not that I have a large head)

Judy, the garters weren't fancy. They were attached to a garter belt that constantly broke, and when Mother didn't have time to mend it, it was held up with safety pins. Which came apart sometimes in school at the most inopportune times. Tights were a much better invention. Steve, I'm on your side, totally, since that was my son that was in your picture.

All depends on who is doing the checking up - remember, it was 4 against 2, and the 2nd was much, much younger. He who laughs last lasts best????? (Okay, so this doesn't make a whole bunch of sense, but, then....)

This response is in order of importance. (1) Pierre - Louise and Dwight blatantly told lies, which I did not ever, ever believe, but I strung (Is that a real word?) them along so that they wouldn't feel badly.(2) Judy, it was four girls against 2 boys - Dwight was well able to hold his own, because you kids were more protected than Louise and I were. However, when push came to shove later on, we could all hold our own.

My, oh my. We have discussed cats, hats, and now stupid brown socks, garters, four against two (I think it was probably only three against two because I really wasn't involved), outhouses (another post), bothersome females, and on it goes. Do you suppose this is how Dr. Seuss came to be? What fun - and funny postings. See what we are learning about each other. Do you suppose anyone out there in the big wide world has suspicions we are just a little crazy? See Cold Comfort Farm (now that is a crazy movie)and you will see how good we really had it.

I am not! (Reconstructing history, just to keep things straight.) I only tell it like it is (was). And, yes, if you want something zany, Cold Comfort Farm, it is. Another thing that Ann has influenced me into purchasing. Shall I make a list? The Ronco Rotisserie, my grain mill, the Vita-Mix, various patterns, including one for a swing jacket that we'll never make, various movies, books, including Square Foot Gardening and Think Thin, needlework patterns, my Pfaff sewing machine, and on and on and on. Sorry, Judy, you used to be the leader in this, but only as far as fabric goes. Frankly, it's been lots of fun, and Ann is an incredible shopper - it's like having your own personal shopping guide - saves me an incredible amount of time. And how did we move from here to there? Don't ask.

Liz told me that she and Ann were definitely going to make the "Swing Jackets"....now she says not. What's with that?While we are talking each other into things: try the movie Kit Kittridge. Depression era story well done. Yes, I know, it was created by American Girl Dolls, but please don't let that keep you from a wonderful experience. Good cast.

Moving on to swing jackets - well, they really aren't very complimentary - the collar on the one doesn't stay where it should, the hem line on the other accentuates what I don't want to have accentuated - you get the point. I think Mother had the right idea about clothes. Make a few tops from the same pattern and wear them with her jeans or a skirt, make two or three dresses,using a variation of the same pattern, and be done with it. No fuss, just make sure they are clean and pressed.As for my alleged influence on a dear sister, what fun it has been. It is really good for my ego to think I could have that much influence, however, I suspect the truth has been stretched. I've heard good things about Kit Kittridge, but have not seen it. I will put that on my list.

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